Upload files using an HttpHandler

Introduction

Using an HttpHandler to upload files can be quite handy while designing multiple file uploads, large file uploads, resumable file uploads, and reporting on the progress of an upload. I’m sure there are many more uses for it. The article does not intend on explaining the implementations of all uses of the HttpHandler in uploading files, but rather explains the code required by the HttpHandler to upload files. That being said, I have still included an example on how to upload multiple files using the HttpHandler with the help of the Jumploader Java applet in the Points of interest section.

Background

After searching around and being unable to find a short, clear, and concise code snippet that could do this, I wrote my own, and would like to share it with anyone who needs it.

Code anatomy

I am assuming you are familiar with the use of an HttpHandler. Once the file is selected with the file upload control, the button does a post to the HttpHandler. The handler processes the request from the button and uses the HttpPostedFile class to receive the uploaded file class and save it on the server. The HttpPostedFile class provides the properties and methods to get information about an individual file and to read and save the file, and belongs to the System.Web namespace of the .NET framework. Most of the code is contained within the ProcessRequest method of the handler. In the ProcessRequest method, we iterate through the Request.Files array and save them to the local folder using the FileSaveAs method of the HttpPostedFile class, it’s that simple. A Response is populated with the status of the upload and sent back to the client.

Lastly, modify the method ProcessRequest in your HttpHandler class to include the code snippet under the code anatomy section.

The download includes a simple file upload control that posts back to the upload handler. You can do the same with whatever interface that you wish to use to upload files. You could also modify the file on receiving it, or generate thumbnails etc., using the file.

Points of interest

Multiple file uploader – You can use Jumploader, a very cool multiple file upload Java applet, with the above code. You will need to include the applet jar file in your project, which can be downloaded from http://jumploader.com/download.html. You will need the following code in the ASPX page to render the applet:

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About the Author

Ritesh is an IT consultant with over ten years of experience in the IT industry varying from consultation, architecture, design, development to technical management. He has a strong background in solutions and applications architecture with a focus on Microsoft’s .Net platform. His area of expertise spans design and implementation of client/server, database and web-based systems. He has worked with C#, ASP.NET 1.1 and 2.0, ADO.NET, Web Services and SQL technology on several enterprise class projects.

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